Portable Cooler Shelf Assembly

ABSTRACT

A portable cooler shelf assembly for a cooler is provided. The cooler holds ice, food items, and beverages. The portable cooler shelf assembly comprises an underlying frame having a first side rail, a second side rail, a first end rail, a second end rail, a top surface, and a bottom surface. A top shelf is mounted to the top surface of the underlying frame. A plurality of legs are secured to the bottom surface of the underlying frame. The combined underlying frame, top shelf, and legs are capable of being received within the cooler and the food items and the beverages positionable on the top shelf are elevated above and away from the ice while still ensuring the provisions remain cool and fresh.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/137,313 filed Mar. 24, 2015, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Cold Shelf,” which is incorporated herein by reference as though the same were set forth in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of portable coolers, and more specifically to the field of accessory shelving.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The warmth of spring, summer and early fall seasons makes for the perfect time to indulge in all manners of outdoor activities. From playing spirited sports games on city streets or splashing gleefully in a backyard pool to embarking on a camping adventure or languidly swaying in a porch swing, adults and children alike seek myriad ways to bask in pleasantly balmy days and evenings. One of the most revered warm weather pastimes is visiting the closest beach. Whether people are seeking to master the rough tides on surfboards, swim in the warm salty waters, or simply lie supine under the blazing summer sun, these tropical paradises attract millions of surf and sand aficionados every year. Another favored activity that brings people out of their homes is attending sporting events. Afternoons spent at youth soccer matches, weekend forays to show support for a community baseball or softball league, and entire Saturdays devoted to college football games and tailgate parties are all common and extremely enjoyable occurrences during warmer seasons.

When heading to the beach for the day or planning to spend an extended amount of time at a sporting event, consumers prepare for these jaunts by bringing along items that will provide comfort while they are there. Lounge chairs and seat cushions are must haves for these types of outdoor activities, as are coolers bursting with food and drink to provide refreshment during these long days. Serving as receptacles to transport a variety of beverages whether sodas, water or beer, coolers are also invaluable aids in keeping drinks cool. A six pack placed in one of these containers in the morning is still deliciously cold when grabbed for consumption after night falls. Food for the outing, such as sandwiches and creamy salads, are transported in the cooler to keep them fresh throughout the day. The commingling of food and drink in coolers can present a drawback. The ice in the chest begins to melt after a certain period of time. The water from the melted ice hardly affects canned or bottled drinks, but the water seeps into sandwich bags and salad bowls resulting in soggy, ruined and wasted food.

The prior art has put forth several designs for accessory shelving for portable coolers. Among these are:

U.S. Pat. No. 6,763,959 to Carl Kenneth Tedder describes a stackable, removable, adjustable shelving system for separating items stored in an ice chest or cooler from exposure to ice, ice substitute, or ice melt in the cooler or ice chest. The shelving system includes at least one perforated shelf and reversible leg extensions.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,663 to Lester A. Schoellmann describes a shelving system for storing food and other perishable items in a portable insulated container. The shelf assembly is positioned in the closed volume of a portable insulated container and securely maintains the stored items above the level of ice and water which typically is present in the lower portion of the closed volume. The system is adjustable in width, length and height to fit a variety of sizes of containers.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,424,687 to Marshall M. Morgan describes a rack or platform standing above the bottom of an ice chest. The rack is a generally horizontal planar member having a number of slots or openings formed therein, and further comprising a set of feet which support the horizontal member in an elevated position. An alternate preferred embodiment is divided into a pair of similar portions, the two portions joining together, one portion having a set of hollow legs with receptacles therein and the other portion having two sets of tabs which protrude for insertion into the hollow legs. One set of tabs is insertable into the receptacles in the hollow legs to align the two portions, thereby forming a large planar expanse, the two being parallel and coextensive. An alternate arrangement of the two portions secures one of the two portions horizontally and the other is set at a right angle to enable division of an ice chest into two separate portions.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a raised platform placed inside a portable cooler as an effective means of keeping food and drink separate from quickly melting ice.

The present invention is a portable cooler shelf assembly for a cooler. The cooler is capable of holding ice, food items, and beverages. The portable cooler shelf assembly comprises an underlying frame having a first side rail, a second side rail, a first end rail, a second end rail, a top surface, and a bottom surface. A top shelf is mounted to the top surface of the underlying frame. A plurality of legs are secured to the bottom surface of the underlying frame. The combined underlying frame, top shelf, and legs are capable of being received within the cooler and the food items and the beverages positionable on the top shelf are elevated above and away from the ice while still ensuring the provisions remain cool and fresh.

In addition, the present invention is a method for food items and beverages in a cooler. The cooler is capable of holding ice. The method comprises providing an underlying frame having a first side rail, a second side rail, a first end rail, and a second end rail, the underlying frame further having a top surface and a bottom surface, mounting a top shelf to the top surface of the underlying frame, securing a plurality of legs to the bottom surface of the underlying frame, positioning the food and beverage items on the top shelf, and elevating the food items and the beverages above and away from the ice while still ensuring the provisions remain cool and fresh.

The present invention further includes a portable cooler shelf assembly for a cooler. The cooler is capable of holding ice, food items, and beverages. The portable cooler shelf assembly comprises an underlying frame having a first side rail, a second side rail, a first end rail, and a second end rail. The underlying frame further has a top surface and a bottom surface. A top shelf is hingedly mounted to the top surface of the underlying frame. A plurality of apertures are formed through the top shelf. A plurality of telescoping legs are secured to the bottom surface of the underlying frame. The combined underlying frame, top shelf, and legs are capable of being received within the cooler and the food items and the beverages positionable on the top shelf are elevated above and away from the ice while still ensuring the provisions remain cool and fresh.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view illustrating a portable cooler shelf assembly, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with telescopic legs for adjusting the height of a top shelf.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view illustrating the portable cooler shelf assembly, constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the top shelf having numerous apertures for allowing cold air to circulate through food and beverages.

FIG. 3 is an end perspective view illustrating the portable cooler shelf, constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the top shelf secured to an underlying frame.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view illustrating the portable cooler shelf, constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing one half of the top shelf opened at an angle above the underlying frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, hereinafter referred to as a Portable Cooler Shelf Assembly, indicated generally at 10, is a raised platform placed inside a portable cooler. The purpose of the Portable Cooler Shelf Assembly 10 of the present invention is to keep food and drink separate from quickly melting ice. The Portable Cooler Shelf Assembly 10 keeps food items, beverages, and any other items stored in the cooler elevated above and away from the ice while still ensuring the provisions remain cool and fresh.

The Portable Cooler Shelf Assembly 10 of the present invention has an underlying frame 12 having a first side rail 14, a second side rail 20, a first end rail 16, and a second end rail 18. The underlying frame 12 also has a top surface 22 and the bottom surface 24. Preferably, the underlying frame 12 is constructed from a plastic material although constructing the underlying frame 12 from other materials is within the scope of the present invention.

In addition, the Portable Cooler Shelf Assembly 10 of the present invention includes a top shelf 26 mounted to the top surface 22 of the underlying frame 12. Preferably, the top shelf 26 is hingedly mounted to the top surface 22 of the underlying frame 12 such that at least a portion of the top shelf 12 can be raised to access the area with the cooler beneath the top shelf 26.

In a preferred embodiment of the Portable Cooler Shelf Assembly 10 of the present invention, the top shelf 26 is split along its approximate center creating a first top shelf portion 28 and a second top shelf portion 30. A connected end of the first top shelf portion 28 and the second top shelf portion 30 is hingedly connected to the first side rail 14 and the second side rail 20 allowing a free end of the first top shelf portion 28 and the second shelf portion 30 to raise and lower for a user to access food items and beverages stored in the cooler below the top shelf 26. The top shelf 26 of the Portable Cooler Shelf Assembly 10, which is preferably constructed from a durable plastic material, contains a series of apertures 32 formed through the top shelf 26 providing ingress for the cold emanating from the ice with the cooler located below the top shelf 26. Preferably, the top shelf 26 is constructed from the same material as the underlying frame 12, however, constructing the top shelf 26 from a different material is within the scope of the present invention.

The Portable Cooler Shelf Assembly 10 of the present invention further includes four telescoping legs 34 mounted to the underlying frame 12 with one leg 34 mounted to each of the connections between the side rails 14, 20 and the end rails 16, 18. The telescoping legs 34 allow the user to raise and lower the underlying frame 12 and the top shelf 26 within the cooler depending on the desires of the user.

Rectangular in shape, the Portable Cooler Shelf Assembly 10 of the present invention preferably measures approximately twenty (20″) inches in length, ten (10″) inches in width, and six and one half (6½″) inches in depth. Configured to accommodate any cooler size, the preferred dimensions are adjustable using an integrated ratchet system and telescoping legs 34. In addition, the telescoping legs 34 can be held in place by friction or other mechanical means. The Portable Cooler Shelf Assembly 10 is reduced or expanded to fit the cooler's interior while accounting for various sized beverage containers.

Efficiently engineered to be extremely effective in application, the Portable Cooler Shelf Assembly 10 is easy to use. First, a user places an intact bag of ice into the bottom of the cooler without opening the bag and distributing the ice. The Portable Cooler Shelf Assembly 10 is then placed directly on top of the bag of ice at an elevation of approximately eight inches. There remains copious room within the cooler to place a selection of drinks, sandwiches, salads, fruits, and any other food or beverage right on top shelf 26 of the Portable Cooler Shelf Assembly 10. While picnicking, enjoying the beach, camping out or enjoying a tailgating party, the Portable Cooler Shelf Assembly 10 is used continuously to cool foods and drinks without those items coming into contact with the ice. Remaining in the bag, ice melts at a much slower pace than when it is loosely distributed throughout the cooler. The Portable Cooler Shelf Assembly 10 is easily removable and employable as a preparation table or dining surface. The plastic material of the present invention is impervious to bacterial accumulation and is cleanable in a matter of seconds.

Placing the Portable Cooler Shelf Assembly 10 of the present invention inside a cooler eliminates storing refreshments and ice all together. Food items remain as fresh as when they were prepared. Durably constructed, the Portable Cooler Shelf Assembly 10 will provide many years of continued use by all outdoor enthusiasts.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claim. 

1. A portable cooler shelf assembly for a cooler, the cooler holding ice, food items, and beverages, the portable cooler shelf assembly comprising: an underlying frame having a first side rail, a second side rail, a first end rail, and a second end rail, the underlying frame further having a top surface and a bottom surface; a top shelf is mounted to the top surface of the underlying frame; and a plurality of legs secured to the bottom surface of the underlying frame; wherein the combined underlying frame, top shelf, and legs are capable of being received within the cooler and the food items and the beverages positionable on the top shelf are elevated above and away from the ice while still ensuring the provisions remain cool and fresh.
 2. The portable cooler shelf assembly of claim 1 wherein the top shelf has a first shelf portion and a second shelf portion, each of the first shelf portion and the second shelf portion have a first end and a second end.
 3. The portable cooler shelf assembly of claim 2 wherein the first end of the first shelf portion is hingedly connected to the underlying frame and wherein the first end of the second shelf portion is hingedly connected to the underlying frame.
 4. The portable cooler shelf assembly of claim 3 wherein the first ends of the first shelf portion and the second shelf portion are hingedly connected together at the first rail and the second rail of the underlying frame.
 5. The portable cooler shelf assembly of claim 3 wherein the second end of the first shelf portion and the second end of the second shelf portion are independently openable to expose an area under the underlying frame.
 6. The portable cooler shelf assembly of claim 2 wherein the first shelf portion is approximately equal in size to the second shelf portion.
 7. The portable cooler shelf assembly of claim 1 and further comprising: a plurality of apertures formed through the top shelf.
 8. The portable cooler shelf assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of legs is telescoping.
 9. The portable cooler shelf assembly of claim 8 wherein the telescoping legs are adjustable using an integrated ratchet system.
 10. The portable cooler shelf assembly of claim 1 wherein a single leg is mounted to each of the connections between the side rails and the end rails.
 11. A method for food items and beverages in a cooler, the cooler holding ice, the method comprising: providing an underlying frame having a first side rail, a second side rail, a first end rail, and a second end rail, the underlying frame further having a top surface and a bottom surface; mounting a top shelf to the top surface of the underlying frame; securing a plurality of legs to the bottom surface of the underlying frame; positioning the food and beverage items on the top shelf; and elevating the food items and the beverages above and away from the ice while still ensuring the provisions remain cool and fresh.
 12. A portable cooler shelf assembly for a cooler, the cooler holding ice, food items, and beverages, the portable cooler shelf assembly comprising: an underlying frame having a first side rail, a second side rail, a first end rail, and a second end rail, the underlying frame further having a top surface and a bottom surface; a top shelf hingedly mounted to the top surface of the underlying frame; a plurality of apertures formed through the top shelf; a plurality of telescoping legs secured to the bottom surface of the underlying frame; wherein the combined underlying frame, top shelf, and legs are capable of being received within the cooler and the food items and the beverages positionable on the top shelf are elevated above and away from the ice while still ensuring the provisions remain cool and fresh.
 13. The portable cooler shelf assembly of claim 12 wherein the top shelf has a first shelf portion and a second shelf portion, each of the first shelf portion and the second shelf portion have a first end and a second end.
 14. The portable cooler shelf assembly of claim 13 wherein the first end of the first shelf portion is hingedly connected to the underlying frame and wherein the first end of the second shelf portion is hingedly connected to the underlying frame.
 15. The portable cooler shelf assembly of claim 14 wherein the first end of the first shelf portion and the second shelf portion are hingedly connected together at the first rail and the second rail of the underlying frame.
 16. The portable cooler shelf assembly of claim 14 wherein the second end of the first shelf portion and the second end of the second shelf portion are independently openable to expose an area under the underlying frame.
 17. The portable cooler shelf assembly of claim 13 wherein the first shelf portion is approximately equal in size to the second shelf portion.
 18. The portable cooler shelf assembly of claim 12 wherein the telescoping legs are adjustable using an integrated ratchet system.
 19. The portable cooler shelf assembly of claim 12 wherein the telescoping legs are held in place by friction.
 20. The portable cooler shelf assembly of claim 12 wherein a single leg is mounted to each of the connections between the side rails and the end rails. 